Newcastle United Share the Points

MCFC Reserves 2 – 2 NUFC Reserves

A very entertaining game at mini-coms last night ended in stalemate, even though the man of the match was probably Newcastle goalkeeper, Fraser Forster as he kept his team in the game in the first half. Goals from Ched Evans and Ashley Grimes were twice pegged back goals from Emre Belozoglu and substitute Mark Doninger.
City started the game off at a good pace and were not phased by their opposition of a team with a few internationals in its ranks, but it was only probably Newcastle’s former youth player, Jonathan Godsmark that caused the City defence to have to answer a few questions.
Forster had to be at is best to make a double save from Grimes and Kelvin Etuhu and then later a point blank save from Grimes again. City broke the deadlock when a clearance from defence by Shaleum Logan found Grimes who sent a great forward cross field pass to Evans who buried his shot past Forster to make it one nil.
Newcastle were then able to draw level thanks to a very rash challenge by Marc Laird, right on the edge of the area. People who read my reports will be well aware that I feel quite annoyed that the club still bother to play him, when he stops the likes of Paul Marshall from progressing because he does not get enough games; and last night’s display affirmed my belief when countless times his lack of physical ability hindered the team. He is a nice lad, but the club and the reserves are there to develop the talented youth players coming through from the academy and if by the time you are like Marc, nearly twenty two years old and still not made a first team appearance, you should know he is not going to make it with that club.
The resulting free kick was well converted by Emre and the less than impressive Andreas Isaksson did not even move to attempt to save it. Evans had a good chance to convert a well brought down ball near half time, but his strike could only find the side netting.
Newcastle made a double substitution at half time, with Joey Barton, who was what appeared to be out for a light stroll to me, one of those players. These changes made a big difference to the away team as it gave them far more energy and the second half was a very even contest because of this. However it was City that endeavoured to take the lead once again with Grimes helping to set up his own goal as he sprayed a lovely pass out to wide right to Karl Moore who cut inside and found Grimes in the box who threaded his way through and fired past Forster.
Forster was again at his best a few minutes later when he denied Michael Daly and Ched Evans within a short space of time. It was Newcastle however that took advantage on the break down the left when a low cross evaded all the City defence for Doninger to run in and fire into the far post corner of the goal.
City should have wrapped things up with about ten minutes to go when a rebounded shot fell kindly to Grimes who was unmarked and the keeper on the floor, but somehow his shot hit Forster’s legs.
City now travel to an Everton side next Tuesday who have not had the best of starts to their reserve campaign with three defeats and one victory.


City: Isaksson(GK), Logan, Williamson(Capt.), McDonald, Breen, Laird, Etuhu(Clayton 71), Grimes, Evans, M Daly, Moore.

Subs: Martin(GK), Vidal, Marshall, Poole.


Newcastle: Forster(GK), Bertram, Enrique, Pattison, Edgar(Morris 86), Faye, LuaLua, Emre, Danquah(Donaldson 46), Barton(Doninger 46), Godsmark.

Subs: Cook(GK), Lough.


Att: 500.